Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event when there is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health. This year, it takes place on 10-16th May 2021 and the theme is Nature.

Greenway Walkers are planning to support the week by using their regular Wednesday morning as an opportunity for walkers to think about mental health. We hope to start lots of discussions around mental health and how we look after ourselves. This will include, amongst other things, a quiz to encourage walkers to contribute their thoughts.

Wednesday walks are about an hour long and start and end at the Greenway Centre. Walkers should meet up there at 10.00am.

You can spot the group because they will be wearing a Greenway Walkers hi-viz! The aim is to provide a gentle, mindful walk in Badock’s Wood. For this Wednesday we will have a focus on mental health.

Walking can improve our mood and the quality of our sleep, reduce stress and anxiety, and provide us with time to reflect. Having a group to walk with can also provide connection with friends and new people. Physically active people can reduce their risk of depression by up to 30%.

Being in nature or green spaces has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health through being closer to greenery, seeing wildlife, getting fresh air and giving our eyes and minds a rest from tarmac, bricks and concrete!

Would you like to join us? You can contact Greenway Walkers on either 07908 076 112 or 0117 950 3335 (Greenway Centre Reception).

Our volunteers support other walks in North Bristol. In addition to our Wednesday Walk, there are three other walks to join! All walks are one hour. You can ring 07908 076 112 to join in.

Monday 10am – Southmead Hospital and Monks Park

(meet outside the Learning and Research building off Monks Park Avenue)

Monday 2pm – Canford Park

(meet inside the main gate near the library)

Thursday 10am – Horfield Common

(meet outside the Ardagh Centre off Kellaway Road)